Aqua Planet 63 to close on Sunday after 39 years of operation

Visitors enjoy watching a stingray in Aqua Planet 63 [JOONGANG SUNDAY]

Aqua Planet 63, the first aquarium ever opened in Korea, will close down after 39 years of operation.

The aquarium — located in the 63 Building, Yeongdeungpo District, western Seoul — will cease operations after Sunday, according to a notice on the aquarium’s online website.

After undergoing renovations, it will house a branch of The Pompidou Center, one of the most prominent art museums in France. The museum, in partnership with Hanwha Corporation, a leading retail to construction conglomerate, will open next year under the name Centre Pompidou Hanwha Seoul.

The aquarium opened in 1985 as 63 Seaworld. It underwent renovations for a year and reopened in 2016 with the name Aqua Planet 63.

Aqua Planet 63 welcomed approximately 90 million visitors over the past 39 years.

The aquarium houses up to 250 marine species and approximately 30,000 creatures, which will be relocated when the aquarium closes.

The remaining Aqua Planet franchise aquariums will still be in operation. These aquariums are located in Seogwipo, Jeju; Yeosu, South Jeolla; and Goyang and Suwon in Gyeonggi.

Aqua Planet 63 is currently holding a promotion in lieu with shutting down operations, offering a 30 percent discount on tickets.

The following are eligible to receive the discount: families living in Seoul, public servants from the military, police and firefighters. People who took a picture with the national flag will get a discount as well, upon showing their photo at the entrance.

The exhibition space located within the 63 Building, 63 Art, will also cease operations on Sunday. The building’s buffet restaurant, Pavilion, is set to operate normally until Sunday before closing down for a year.

BY KIM MIN-YOUNG [kim.minyoung5@joongang.co.kr]